HBO recently showed a wonderful documentary called "Casting By" which featured the importance and influence of casting directors on the film industry. The grand dame of these crucial role players was Marion Dougherty. It is a testament to this woman's incredible gut instincts, who in a very real way, shaped many of the greatest films ever to come out of Hollywood. Someone who rarely got her due--no single card credit in a movie's acknowledgements of talent nor honorary Oscar for her influence by the Academy of Motion Pictures as spearheaded and petitioned by Clint Eastwood and other stars in 1991. However, hopefully this documentary, full of wonderful film clips, interviews with our greatest film stars, and other prominent casting directors, will help rectify the lack of credit Dougherty received in the past.
At one point, Marion talks about my favorite star, Al Pacino, who she went to see off-broadway in 1968 in "The Indian Wants the Bronx." She said, "that he was
so good, that the hairs on the back of my neck stood up." She added that that had only happened to her 3 or 4 times in her entire life. Ah, Al Pacino. I will champion your acting brilliance to my death!
Here's how I imagine Marion Dougherty seeing Al Pacino back in the late '60's--
electrified, by his sizzling performance! (-:
Here's a little film clip of the documentary:
http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/casting-by/video/trailer.html
Here's the NY Times article on many of the casting directors in the film:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/movies/casting-directors-get-their-due-in-hbos-film-casting-by.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
I do love this...I totally get how Marion felt. Back in the mid 70s, a group of friends and I frequented a small, very fun dance club in W. Hollywood. Al Pacino would show up every once in awhile and we would always dance together. It was so much fun.
ReplyDeleteI am unfamiliar with Marion and her work. Thank you for the links so that I can learn more about her!
Pattie Komai
Thank you so much, Pattie. I had given you a little tribute in my post of today--9/10/13, but I erased it, because it was surrounded by a lot of "down-in-the-doldrums" talk by me. Maybe the pressure of pumping out a painting a day was getting to me--I had really loved this one, but I don't think I'm in the "in crowd." ANYWAY, thank you, thank you for your comment and like. I wish I could sit down with you and chat--I CANNOT imagine hanging out and having Al Pacino walk in. My family knows--he is one of the loves of my life! What a life you have had!!!!! Unbelievable! When I met Dorie Greenspan--she of "Baking With Julia" fame (and a zillion other cookbooks) at a book signing, I had thought, now if only I can meet Al Pacino and get to Paris, my life will be complete. Love and kisses--and I hope you get to see that doc. on Marion--she really, really was wonderful. I love unsung heros (heroines) who finally get their due!
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